A CONCEPT MADE CONCRETE CONSERVING A BRUTALIST ICON THROUGH ARCHITECTURAL INTERVENTION An explanatory document by Taylor Ryan Bell "In the last resort what characterises the New Brutalism ... is precisely its brutality, its je-m'en-foutisme, its bloody-mindedness." - Reyner Banham 1 ABSTRACT This project aims to prove, through relevant research, that Brutalist buildings such as Robin Hood Gardens are not only important parts of recent history but are also adaptable to modern standards and new functions. It will also prove that architectural intervention, however minimal, is a powerful tool when dealing with aged building stock. Retaining historic buildings contributes to the sociocultural wellbeing of a nation by providing scholars, students and laymen the opportunity to view and study a building that may otherwise be destroyed. Adaptation of aged buildings will help to create cities with a rich tapestry of architectural history, contrasting the old and the new. Understanding the history of the Brutalist movement and its contribution to architectural development in Europe, the Americas, and New Zealand, is paramount when considering this research document. It will be made clear as to why Robin Hood Gardens is an ideal case study. Due to its design and current predicament, Robin Hood Gardens can be seen as a microcosm of the failure of Brutalist ideology - and a failure of twenty-first century society to identify and protect its architectural treasures. Although the topic of adaptive reuse has been covered many times before, the solution proposed for Robin Hood Gardens in this document is entirely unique. The findings of this study will help to inform (or reform) the values of individuals involved in the decision- making process of architectural conservation. 2 A Research Project submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Architecture (Professional). Unitec Institute of Technology, 2017 3 CONTENTS Introduction Developed Design Acknowledgements ......................................................................................... 4 Analysis .......................................................................................................... 57 Background ...................................................................................................... 5 Inspiration ...................................................................................................... 65 Project Outline ................................................................................................. 5 Intervention .................................................................................................... 69 Aims & Objectives .......................................................................................... 6 Outcome ......................................................................................................... 87 Research Question .......................................................................................... 7 Scope & Limitations ........................................................................................ 8 Conclusion Methodology ................................................................................................... 8 Evaluation ...................................................................................................... 93 State of Knowledge ....................................................................................... 9 Future Direction ............................................................................................. 93 Results of Research ....................................................................................... 10 Bibliography ................................................................................................. 94 Literature & Precedent Survey List of figures .............................................................................................. 103 History ............................................................................................................ 11 Appendix A ................................................................................................ 108 Reception ....................................................................................................... 23 Appendix B ................................................................................................. 109 Adaptation .................................................................................................... 33 Appendix C ................................................................................................ 113 Selection ......................................................................................................... 49 Appendix D ................................................................................................ 114 4 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Thanks to David for his tireless efforts to assist me and encourage my train of thought. Thanks to Christoph and Renata for their guidance and input. Thanks to my mother for meticulously proofreading my work and to my father for encouraging me when I faced uncertainty. And thanks to my friends who selflessly offered their time to help me. INTRODUCTION 5 BACKGROUND PROJECT OUTLINE Brutalism is a genuinely interesting movement and period of The project involves the adaptive reuse of Robin Hood Gardens, architectural history. The project will involve learning about the a social housing estate conceived by Alison and Peter Smithson in underlying theory of the movement to prove that it is an important part Poplar, England. It is currently threatened with demolition despite an of the past that is worth protecting - not just for architectural historians outcry from the architectural community. The approach to this project is but also for the general population. outlined below: Being a relatively young nation, New Zealand has not often had Phase One: Background research to make the decision of preservation, conservation or demolition but as the country develops it will become a more pertinent issue. The . Understand the conceptual underpinnings of the movement. architectural society should feel a responsibility to past architects to . Identify unsuccessful aspects of Brutalism. ensure that the essence of what they envisioned is safeguarded for future generations to learn from. Phase Two: Choosing a building The intention of this project is to understand the process in which . Determine a target range of at-risk Brutalist buildings. Brutalist buildings can be adapted or reused whilst still preserving the . Select a building and analyse its architectural value. essence of the architecture, or that which makes Brutalism unique. Phase Three: Adaptation of the chosen building . Research and analyse examples of architectural adaptation. Establish a set of design objectives for the chosen building. Implement research and analysis to achieve an original outcome. Phase Four: Retrospect . Conclude how the architecture is enriched, yet preserved in essence. 6 AIMS & OBJECTIVES The main objective of this research paper is to prove that Adaptation may involve (but is not limited to): Brutalism as a whole is worth preserving. Though it is currently considered somewhat inhospitable, this project will show that by . Applying a new facade. utilising architectural expertise, these Brutalist buildings are able to . Exposing or restricting the original aesthetic. achieve widespread appreciation. Deciding on a new, more appropriate function for the building. Spatial redevelopment/enrichment. It will be imperative to understand the architectural characteristics . Adding or removing sections of the original building. of Brutalism that were found to be unsuccessful in the long term. For . Geometric differentiation of old and new. example, Robin Hood Gardens and Park Hill were both labelled "sink estates." This project will determine the architectural rationale which The research project will prove to professionals, the value of produced such a response. Historical literature research is important to Brutalism, historic buildings and adaptive reuse. It would be an ascertain this information. accomplishment for the project to be published by a conservation society (magazine/journal), locally or internationally. This would assist Alternatively, the project will demonstrate that the Brutalist in disseminating the results of the research project. buildings have successful characteristics which hold architectural and historical value. The findings may or may not dictate a new function for the selected building. In terms of design, the project aims to explore the various architectural techniques employed when adapting or reusing a historical piece of architecture. Looking to the past allows humanity to purposefully move toward the future - this project aims to produce a compelling approach to the conservation of aged architecture. Most importantly, this project will provide evidence that Brutalist buildings are worthy of conservation by delivering a successful adaptive reuse/repurpose of a Brutalist building previously deemed to be a failure. A successful adaptation will enrich the architecture whilst preserving its essence. This project will change the perceived value of Brutalist architecture of the 50s, 60s and 70s. 7 RESEARCH QUESTION How can a critically unsuccessful Brutalist building be adapted or reused to ensure its conservation as a piece of architectural history? Sub-questions: . Why was the building considered unsuccessful?